Sir Elton played a gig in New York on Sunday to celebrate turning 60

The Christian pastors asked the Caribbean island's politicians to prevent the 60-year-old from appearing at next month's Plymouth Jazz Festival.

They feared the pop star's lifestyle could adversely influence the "impressionable minds" of young people.

But the House of Assembly and concert organisers have refused their request.

'Great performer'

The British star is "coming as what he is - one of the world's greatest performers", according to Anthony Maharaj, one of the festival's organisers.

"His band has performed in every country around the world," he told the Reuters news agency.

"He is not coming here to preach about what lifestyle people should have."

But pastor Terrance Baynes warned there were some residents "who may not be sure of their sexuality".

Last week Sir Elton (l) told people to "stand up" to homophobia

"One has to be careful about how this can create impressions on impressionable minds," he said.

Sir Elton, who marked his 60th birthday with a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, is due to play at the festival on 29 April.

The attempt to prevent the singer's appearance on Tobago was described as "a terrible shame" by human rights organisation Amnesty International.

"People have a right to be who they are, free from persecution, whether they're a pop star or a roadsweeper," said UK media director Mike Blakemore.